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Azaria Chamberlain

Laetitia LemkeUpdated
Sat 21 Aug 2010, 2:05 PM AEST

Laetitia Lemke interviews Evil Angels author John Bryson.

Transcript

LAETITIA LEMKE, PRESENTER: In August 1980 nine and a half week old Azaria Chamberlain disappeared from a campsite at Uluru. Her mother Lindy Chamberlain made headlines around the world, claiming a dingo took her baby. She was convicted of murder, but eventually exonerated. Now, 30 years on, the publication of jury notes has seen the Chamberlain family again thrust into the spotlight. Former lawyer John Bryson wrote the book Evil Angels and knows the story inside out. I caught up with him earlier today to get his take on the Territory Government's decision to open another chapter in the case.

LAETITIA LEMKE: John Bryson, welcome to Stateline.

JOHN BRYSON, AUTHOR: Thank you.

LAETITIA LEMKE: Is this story ever going to go away? Do you think we're seeing the final chapter play out now?

JOHN BRYSON: I don't think so. It's now a fascination through the nation for precisely the opposite reasons that played out when it began. We should remember that when it did begin it was not Lindy Chamberlain who was the first and prime suspect, it was Pastor Michael. And it only became a witch hunt for Lindy Chamberlain when it was realised that Michael Chamberlain himself couldn't possibly have done it. And think the story has changed its methodology of fascination as it goes along. Now it's a fascination with, how on earth did we get it so wrong.

LAETITIA LEMKE: We've seen a media frenzy this week following the publication of confidential jury notes from police files. The Chief Justice has come out and questioned, firstly, why those notes weren't destroyed at the time, as per protocol; and, secondly, how they found their way into Police files. Do we need to see an explanation from Police on this?

JOHN BRYSON: I think so. Love them though I do, the Northern Territory are fairly good at this. You'll remember that with the first outrage at the jurors' verdict in the Chamberlain case, it wasn't long before the Law Department trotted out two jurors to explain their position. I really think that was illegal, just as the brandishing of the notes now is not lawful.

LAETITIA LEMKE: And what do the notes themselves say to you?

JOHN BRYSON: Oh, the confusion. We have to remember that really the prosecution case that was put together, the investigation after the first inquest had exonerated the Chamberlains, was a wonderfully arranged affair. You'll remember all the so-called scientific evidence was kept secret until it was delivered from the witness box. So, everyone was trying to pick up and understand pieces of this case as it progressed. And mostly its progression was through the selective leaking of information to favoured journalists. So it was all understanding on the run, even during the trial.

LAETITIA LEMKE: There've been some very strong headlines that we've seen over the past two weeks that really put into question Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton's character. Is the media continuing to vilify Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton?

JOHN BRYSON: Very much certain parts of it. We have to remember that law enforcement is very skilful at annexing the loyalties of certain people in the media and I'd have no doubt that that's what's happening now, as well.

LAETITIA LEMKE: One of the major developments to come out is an open letter from Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, calling for Azaria Chamberlain's death certificate to be changed to recognise that she was killed by a dingo. Surely this is something that should have happened earlier?

JOHN BRYSON: Most people think so. The third Coroner declined to go in the direction that the Morling inquiry, and later the Appeals Court, had suggested happen. Both of those tribunals were of the opinion that a definite verdict, a definite finding, that a dingo was responsible for the death was warranted.

LAETITIA LEMKE: Why do think that hasn't happened then?

JOHN BRYSON: Oh, home town pressure - same as always.

LAETITIA LEMKE: The Attorney General, Delia Lawries, says she'll launch an investigation. There've been investigations in the past. What would make this one any more successful?

JOHN BRYSON: Hindsight, I think. More than any other case involving miscarriages of justice, this case has been wonderfully dissected, and most of that done by the Morling inquiry. I think that really, there is nowhere to go now, except that road.

LAETITIA LEMKE: How important is it who carries out this investigation?

JOHN BRYSON: Very important that it is not part of law enforcement, that it is outside of those pressures. It's interesting that in every state and territory in the Commonwealth one can still find police who will tell you that Lindy Chamberlain was guilty, and who will tell you that the prosecution had more evidence against her than ever would see the light of day. Those sorts of prejudices are wonderfully virile.